Turbine flowmeter is a kind of flow meter with high accuracy, good repeatability and fast response, which is especially suitable for the measurement of clean, low viscosity liquids and gases, especially in the fields of fuel metering and industrial batching, etc. It has important applications. However, it is sensitive to changes in fluid cleanliness and viscosity, and contains moving parts as its main limitation.

Inline vortex flowmeter category
Inline Turbine Flow Meter

The sensor and vortex generator are located completely inside the pipe and are less affected by local flow field distortions, providing higher measurement accuracy and better stability.

Insertion vortex flowmeter category
Insertion Turbine Flow Meter

Particularly suitable for measuring the flow of large-diameter pipes (usually DN200 or more). No need to cut the pipe, low installation cost. Insertion depth is adjustable.

How does Turbine flow meter work?

  1. As fluid flows through the meter, it strikes the turbine blades inside, causing the turbine to spin.
  2. The faster the fluid flows, the faster the turbine spins.
  3. A sensor on the outside senses how many revolutions the turbine has made (usually detecting the number of times the blades have passed and generating a pulse signal).
  4. By measuring the rotational speed of the turbine (i.e., the frequency of the pulses), the flow rate of the fluid can be accurately calculated.

Advantages

  • High accuracy: Good accuracy (±0.5% RD or better) especially at medium to high flow rates.
  • Excellent repeatability: Highly consistent readings for multiple measurements of the same flow rate.
  • Wide range ratios: Typically up to 10:1 or 20:1 or even higher.
  • Fast response time: sensitive to changes in flow rate.
  • High pressure resistance: the structure can be designed to withstand high pressure.
  • Digital signal output: the output pulse signal is easy to transmit and process, suitable for total measurement and computer connection.
  • Wide range of applications: Suitable for a wide range of clean, low-viscosity liquids and gases.
  • Mature technology and relatively moderate cost.

Applications

  • Oil and gas industry: for the measurement and distribution of crude oil, refined oil products (gasoline, diesel, aviation kerosene), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), natural gas (usually non-trade settlement of the main meter) and so on.
  • Chemical industry: for solvents, chemicals, liquid gas flow measurement.
  • Water Treatment & Distribution: For metering of clean water.
  • Aerospace: for accurate measurement of aircraft fuel consumption.
  • Power industry: Measurement of fuel oil, cooling water, etc.
  • Food & Beverage: Metering of clean liquids (e.g. water, low viscosity syrups) (hygienic design optional).
  • Cryogenic applications: specially designed turbine flow meters can be used for the measurement of cryogenic fluids such as liquid nitrogen, liquid oxygen and LNG.